A place to discuss the ecology and evolution of plants as well as the functioning of ecosystems.
Companion to Resource Strategies of Wild Plants, Princeton University Press.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

One more thought on Galileo's Middle Finger

One more thought on the book...

When I think of the role of science in broader society, one of the dominant ideas is that political ideology trumps knowledge. There is research to show that, if I remember correctly, for understanding climate change, the more educated the individuals, the more views diverge between political affiliations. In the US, the greatest divide in opinions on climate change is between the most, not the least, educated Democrats and Republicans.

The corollary from this research is that scientific knowledge does not matter.

The idea that knowledge doesn't matter is corrosive. And it plays into the doubts of scientists that have been steadily and progressively witnessed increased attacks and financial pressures.

Dreger's book offers an alternative: evidence does matter.

And not theoretically. She provides example after example of where evidence came to effect change.

Her most concentrated thoughts on this are found in the epilogue.

"When I run into such academics--people who will ignore and, if necessary, outright reject any fact that might challenge their ideology, who declare scientific methodologies 'just another way of knowing'--I feel this crazy desire to institute a purge. It smells like fungal rot in the hoof of a plow horse we can't afford to lose. Call me ideological for wanting us all to share a belief in the importance of seeking reliable, verifiable knowledge, but surely that is supposed to be the common value of the learned...These must be people who have never had to fear enough to desperately need truth, the longing for truth, the gift of truth. Surely, the 'scholar' who thinks truth is for children at Christmastime is the person who has never had to fear the knock of the secret police at her door."

Knowledge is not the answer to all problems. And truth can be illusory as competing hypotheses can be stubborn to separate. Yet, there must be a counterpoint to the idea that evidence carries not weight.